While many kids are lucky enough to become the best of friends with their siblings, it’s common for brothers and sisters to fight. However, it’s also common for them to swing back and forth between loving and detesting one other!
Often, sibling rivalry starts even before the second child is born, and continues as the kids grow and compete for everything from toys to attention. As kids reach different stages of development, their evolving needs can significantly affect how they relate to one another.
It can be frustrating and upsetting to watch — and hear — your kids fight with one another.
A household that’s full of conflict is stressful for everyone. Yet often it’s hard to know how to stop the fighting, and or even whether you should get involved at all. But you can take steps to promote peace in your household and help your kids get along.
1. Treat each child as an individual. Help them understand that they are treated differently by you and have different privileges and responsibilities because they are different individuals.
2.Avoid labeling or comparing one child to the other. This feeds into their competitiveness.
3. When a new child comes into the family,adequately prepare the older sibling for his/her new important role. Make her feel like the baby is his/her baby, too.
4. Play detective. Watch and note when siblings are not getting along [before dinner, in the car, before bed] and plan separate quiet activities for those times.
5. Do Not Play Favorites. Watch how you treat each child.
6. Positively reinforce them when they are getting along.
7. Make each child feel special and important. Try to spend one-on-one time with each child every day.
Children of America was founded by people who understand the challenges of being a parent. COA provides affordable daycare and childcare services to families so that parents can feel confident that their children are being cared for in a loving environment when they are unable to be together. Whether you’re searching for childcare in Maryland or daycare in Massachusetts, Children of America has 51 locations and counting to help parents maintain a healthy personal balance. For more information, contact the location nearest you today.